Community Views
There is a high level of community interest in the future of Lews Castle. A survey by Stornoway Amenity Society in November 2001 identified the renovation of the Castle as one of three main priorities for enhancing the amenity of Stornoway.
In an earlier survey by Iain Dobson (August 2000 Shell STEP Project) 300 randomly selected people were interviewed in the Castle Grounds and in Stornoway town centre. In the Castle Grounds survey four options for the future use of the Castle were suggested. The approval rating for each option (respondents agreed or strongly agreed) is shown in Table 1.
Table 1
|
Possible Uses for Lews Castle |
Approval |
|
Historical interpretation/resource/visitor centre |
94% |
|
Conferences/events/functions |
71.4% |
|
Visitor accommodation |
60% |
|
High quality office accommodation |
29.4% |
In the town centre survey 150 people (65.3% local residents and 34% visitors) were asked the open question: “What do you think should be done with Lews Castle?” Responses ranked by frequency are shown in Table 2 and Table 3 groups similar use suggestions.
|
Museum |
39 |
|
Refurbish/restore to former glory |
35 |
|
Arts centre/exhibitions/theatre |
24 |
|
Tourist/visitor attraction |
21 |
|
Hotel/restaurant |
17 |
|
Public/community use |
12 |
|
Café/tea-room/restaurant |
9 |
|
Local historical resource /clan history |
7 |
|
Guided tours/open to public |
6 |
|
Conferences |
6 |
|
Holiday accommodation |
5 |
|
Functions/weddings/garden parties |
5 |
|
Do nothing/leave it as it is/cost too much |
5 |
|
Sports/leisure centre/gym |
4 |
|
Shopping mall/local crafts |
3 |
|
Not sure/depends on cost |
3 |
|
Save it |
3 |
|
Natural history museum |
2 |
|
Accommodation |
2 |
|
Traditional industries centre |
2 |
|
Student hostel/UHI accommodation |
2 |
|
Multi-functional |
2 |
|
Maritime museum |
1 |
|
Heritage use |
1 |
|
Recording studio/film production facility |
1 |
|
Educational purposes |
1 |
|
Research & Development centre |
1 |
|
Gaelic archive |
1 |
|
Bar |
1 |
|
Old folks home |
1 |
|
Children’s activities |
1 |
|
Museum/historical resource |
52 |
|
Visitor attraction with catering services |
39 |
|
Hotel/restaurant/bar/café/tea room |
27 |
|
Arts centre/exhibitions/theatre |
24 |
|
Conferences/functions/weddings |
11 |
|
Holiday accommodation |
7 |
|
Sports/leisure/gym |
5 |
|
Craft/traditional industries/retail outlet |
5 |
|
Education/research with accommodation |
4 |